Robbie Coltrane is spearheading a bid to bring the only surviving Clyde-built turbine steamer in the world back to Glasgow.

The Harry Potter actor has become patron of the Friends Of The TS Queen Mary, one of the last links to Scotland’s shipbuilding past.

The neglected steamer is tied up in a dismal dock in Essex after being bought at auction in 2011 by London-based businessman Ranjan Chowdhury, 49.

The Cracker star has vowed to help a group of maritime enthusiasts bring her home to Scotland and give her a new lease of life.

Robbie, 64, said: “I’m delighted to be patron. Having the Queen Mary back home would be a delight.”

He revealed that the last time he saw the ship was when she was moored at London’s Waterloo Bridge as a floating restaurant. Trustee Aidan O’Donnell said: “We are thrilled Robbie has agreed to be our patron. He knew all about the Queen Mary and thought it would be a good idea if it would come back to Glasgow.

“We hope he will help raise money, interest and awareness. But the major problem is persuading the owner of the Queen Mary to let her go.”

The plan to save the TS Queen Mary, also known as the Glasgow Boat, is backed by several MSPs, including Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie.

The Queen Mary rusts in Essex but Robbie wants to bring her home (Photo: North Downs Picture Agency)

Friends of TS Queen Mary say the boat needs £750,000 of repairs and they want her to be homed in Govan, which could cost millions. She is now lying rusting at Tilbury docks on the River Thames.

In the 40s and 50s, the Queen Mary ferried thousands of holidaymakers to resorts such as Largs, Rothesay and Brodick on Arran. Her last public sailing was in 1977. She was then laid up in Greenock. In 1981, she was sold to Glasgow District Council.

In 1987, brewers Bass Charrington acquired the ship and she became an entertainment venue on the Thames but that ended in 2009.